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Good morning . Next week on Thursday 7/29 I will be traveling from North Myrtle Beach SC to Rochester NY . I usually go 95N to 17 (Fredericksburg VA) to 66 to 81 and all is well after that . I found another route that takes me from 95N to 495 on the west side of DC into Maryland where I would pick up 270 and head northwest towards Pennsylvania , then to NY . I expect to be in the Greater DC are between 1100am - noon . My question is , what will the traffic be like when I get to the DC area . Heavy traffic , stop and go or complete stand still ? TIA
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It won't be horrible at that time of day. Look at Google map during the day before that to see what kind of flow you can expect. There shouldn't be any kind of standstill unless there's an accident or something.
You should generally be ok at that time but I wouldn't wait much later. Thursday afternoons in the summer get really busy with people leaving town for long weekends at the beaches or mountains mixed in with commuter traffic. They are also doing a road widening project and bridge expansion on 95 in and around Fredericksburg and that has been causing slowdowns during most times of the day so expect that.
Thanks to both of you . I will be leaving at 400am and hopefully will near DC by 1100am . Trying to build in a little wiggle room . Is it as easy as 95 to 495 to 270 or are there a couple of other roads mixed in ?
If going to Rochester via 95 to Beltway and 270 I think you end up in Frederick, MD and get on US 15. I can't speak for Myrtle Beach but have friends from half an hour south of Rochester who take (from Arlington) roads that lead to the Beltway then 270 then 15N and or 81 which is what I think you are referencing. From this area- that way makes the most sense- not sure about yours. 270N has carpool lanes which you can use but can also get very congested. I can't imagine it makes sense to get off using US17 from Fredericksburg, going out 66 then to 81 versus this route but that is a personal opinion and based on what time you will be traveling through this area. You will never get through this area without a slowdown or two but shouldn't be too bad. Hope this helps.
Last edited by NOVAmtneer82; 07-23-2021 at 06:20 PM..
My wife took 495 & 270 , on Sunday 7/10 . She made the trip up to ROC an half an hour faster than I ever have done going 17 / 66 / 81 , and she did it on her first try on that route . Of course there's no commuter traffic on Sunday . My hope is that there won't be much commuter traffic an hour or so before noon on a Thursday .
Thanks to both of you . I will be leaving at 400am and hopefully will near DC by 1100am . Trying to build in a little wiggle room . Is it as easy as 95 to 495 to 270 or are there a couple of other roads mixed in ?
Have a great weekend !
Yes, it is that easy! Your biggest problem will be possible traffic delays. On 95/495 you'll have the option of taking the EZ Pass toll lanes. If you don't have a transponder you can still use them, and they'll mail you the charge plus a $3 processing fee. If you use that option pay the bill promptly, otherwise big yuuge fine.
The 95/495/395 interchange can be challenging, 24 lanes at its widest, a lot of options, follow signs for 495 west, or Tysons Corner, or Bethesda, or Frederick.
Yes, it is that easy! Your biggest problem will be possible traffic delays. On 95/495 you'll have the option of taking the EZ Pass toll lanes. If you don't have a transponder you can still use them, and they'll mail you the charge plus a $3 processing fee. If you use that option pay the bill promptly, otherwise big yuuge fine.
The 95/495/395 interchange can be challenging, 24 lanes at its widest, a lot of options, follow signs for 495 west, or Tysons Corner, or Bethesda, or Frederick.
One thing to keep in mind about the EZPass Express lanes is they only go in one direction on 95 - On work days I am not sure when they close on northbound to prepare to then shift for southbound commuter traffic in the evening rush hour. I want to say 11 but can't fully remember. Either way OP will be largely fine and as you said the 95/495/395 interchange can be a beast.
Well I have 2 things going for me . I have a transponder and "it is that easy" . So it's just prayin' and hopin' that there are no traffic issues like construction , an accident or not getting in the correct lane . Thank you all for your insight . I guess my Waze app will be up and running , or maybe I'll flip a coin .
Hello all , just wanted to let you know what I did and how I made out . I did not try the 495 DC route in July . Traveling on Thursday just couldn’t chance a major traffic delay . Went back up to Rochester NY on Sunday 10/24 and took the 495 to 270 route and it was great ! Of course I left my house down here in SC at 2:50am and made it to Rochester in 11 hours and 40 minutes . Weekend - yes , weekday - no . My wife did that drive in September on a Wednesday and went 17 to 66 to 81 . So thanks to all that helped . Happy holidays to all !
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